I wrote this post and then thought that it would be easier to listen to than to read, so here’s the link to the audio file. As I was asked to post the transcript, here it is below: In this audio file I’m going to talk about how spellings in English can represent different sounds.… Continue reading One spelling, different sounds
The anti-phonics crackpots have been out again this weekend. On Saturday, Mike Lloyd-Jonesmade me smile when he pointed out the spurious logic of one anti-phonics writer of a letter to the Guardian newspaper. The writer attempted to discredit phonics by using the kind of invented spelling that phonics advocates have by now become used to: ‘fonics’ and… Continue reading Broadcasting grouse!
Readers might find interesting a rather neat posting from Mr Verb a couple of days ago on the subject of English and borrowing. The posting includes a picture of a T-shirt, inscribed with the words: The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that the English language is as pure as a crib-house whore.… Continue reading The English language and borrowing